PCIJ report: 'SolGen to acquit Napoles'

The Office of the Solicitor General, according to the most recent report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, will push for the acquittal of the so-called “pork-barrel queen” Janet Lim Napoles on the crime of serious illegal detention of her cousin Benhur Luy.

Rappler reported that on January 11, the OSG submitted to the Court of Appeals “a manifestation on lieu of rejoinder” which recommended Napoles’ acquittal. The report furthered that CoA received the report on January 20.

Luy is the state witness in the plunder case filed against Napoles on her involvement in the billion-peso pork barrel scam, which dragged several senators including Se. Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Bong Revilla.

Napoles was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or 40 years in prison by a Makati trial court in April 2015. The court proved that Luy was illegaly detained in a retreat house and in Napoles’ residence from December 2012 to March 2013.

The manifestation of the OSG stated, “The conduct and behavior of Benhur Luy during the period of his alleged detention belie the fact that he was detained or deprived of his liberty, contrary to the findings of the trial court in its April 14, 2015 decision.”

According to one of the unnamed lawyers interviewed by PCIJ for their report, “There was a time she wanted to tell all na. Maybe that is the modus vivendi, for her to tell all on politicians they (administration) don’t like.”Source: Rappler

Love this article? Please like our Facebook page below and Share this article to your friends!